Lakers Face Crucial Decision Should They Trade Austin Reaves After Luka Doncic’s Arrival?

The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move on Saturday, trading franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić, a generational talent. The move signals that, aside from LeBron James, nobody on the roster is untouchable—at least not anymore. With the addition of Doncic, questions arise about how current Lakers assets fit into the new roster structure, most notably breakout star Austin Reaves.

Reaves, who signed a $53.8 million contract in the 2023 offseason, is having a career year, averaging 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, all career highs. Since being promoted to starting point guard, Reaves has been one of the league’s top distributors, ranking eighth in the NBA for assists per game since Christmas. His impressive performance in Tuesday’s 122-97 win over the Clippers—20 points, six rebounds, and nine assists—further solidified his value. Reaves became the first Lakers guard since Kobe Bryant to tally 10+ points in 28 consecutive games.

While Reaves’ rise has made him a key player, the acquisition of Doncic has raised concerns about how the two will coexist in the backcourt. Both are capable team defenders, but they can be vulnerable one-on-one. However, Reaves’ offensive potential makes him an enticing option next to Doncic and LeBron. NBA analyst Jason Timpf tweeted that Reaves could thrive alongside Doncic, even after LeBron’s eventual departure. “He’s going to play off of Luka and LeBron so well,” Timpf said, noting Reaves’ versatility and impact on the game.

Given his team-friendly $12.9 million salary, Reaves holds the highest trade value of any Lakers player besides LeBron and Doncic. This gives the Lakers a potential trade asset to fill key needs, particularly at the center position, which has become a glaring hole after Davis’ trade.

However, the case for trading Reaves is complicated. With Doncic taking over as the primary ball handler, there may not be enough room for Reaves to maintain his starting role, especially as the Lakers face defensive concerns. Without a reliable rim protector, and with LeBron aging, the Lakers could benefit from trading Reaves to acquire a more traditional center or another defensive stopper.

Reaves’ trade value is at its peak, and with his contract extension coming up in 2026, the Lakers may need to decide whether they can match lucrative offers from teams with cap space. However, trading him could also mean losing one of the most promising young players in the league and creating a backup point guard void.

On the other hand, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has demonstrated an ability to navigate the team’s weaknesses creatively. Despite not having Davis, the Lakers are 5-1 in their last six games and boast a 29-19 record, sitting comfortably in the fifth spot in the Western Conference. Their defense, ranked second in the past 10 games, has been bolstered by the return of Jarred Vanderbilt and the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith, both of whom provide valuable versatility on the defensive end.

Moreover, Reaves has proven himself as an excellent team defender. If the Lakers were to retain him, they could potentially improve even further by trading other pieces—like Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura—along with a 2031 first-round pick to acquire a top-tier center or another perimeter defender.

Ultimately, keeping Reaves could make the Lakers a potent half-court offensive team, especially with Luka and LeBron on the floor together. Reaves’ ability to play off the ball has been crucial to his success in LA, and it’s a role he’s already familiar with. By adding a strong defensive center and another perimeter defender, the Lakers could find the right balance and make Reaves’ retention a logical choice.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers face a crucial decision. Trading Reaves could solve immediate roster needs, but the team would risk losing a key player who could help elevate them into championship contention. The question remains: Is Austin Reaves too valuable to trade, or is his value better served in a trade for long-term success?